The best idlers of the Tang Dynasty

Outside the gate of Mingde, under the orders of Emperor Taizong, Fang Xuanling, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, was waiting for Li Chengqian with a hundred Chinese and military officials. This time, Li Chengqian made such a great contribution in the Turkic mission, and Fang Xuanling was also impressed.

After Fang Xuanling, some important officials in the court, as well as a few older princes were also looking forward to it, but the thoughts among these people were also different.

"It's just that they used money to buy out the Turkic people, and it's necessary to mobilize people like this!" Wei Wang Li Tai was a little impatient at first, he was already obese, and now the weather was hot and sweaty.

Cen Wenwen heard it, and hurriedly said: "His Royal Highness Wei Wang is silent, this time the prince's mission to Turkic is indeed a great contribution to the country, His Royal Highness Wei said so, but it is a bit biased."

Wei Wang Li Tai knew that Cen Wenwen belonged to Li Ke, and he just snorted coldly when he heard the words, and didn't say anything else, but he was very dissatisfied with Li Chengqian's ability to win Taizong's praise in his heart.

Li Tai thought of himself very highly since he was a child, coupled with his intelligence and eagerness to learn, he has made great achievements in poetry, books and scriptures, even Emperor Taizong loved him very much. He was still young, so Emperor Taizong allowed him to open a mansion to recruit scholars, so special The treatment naturally made the young Li Tai feel more unreasonable.

"I'm coming!"

Suddenly an official shouted, a burst of smoke rose in the distance, and then a pair of cavalrymen appeared within the realization of everyone.

Li Chengqian walked in the front on his horse, followed by brothers Henglian and Du Pingyuan, and two hundred guards of the East Palace.

"Your Highness! The Holy One has sent someone to greet you!" Heng Lian saw the line of officials coming to greet you from a long distance away. He is an old man in the East Palace. Now that Li Chengqian has made such a great contribution, he is also honored with You Rong Yan.

Hearing this, Li Chengqian was also heartened. Before that, he had been regarded as a mediocre person. Even if he inherited the imperial lineage, he was just a cowardly and conservative monarch. Now he was finally proud, and he was also proud at this time. pregnancy.

"Let's see what those people have to say now!" Li Chengqian said in a low voice, and rode his horse forward until he stood in front of Fang Xuanling before getting off his horse and cupping his hands at Fang Xuanling, "How dare you bother Fang Xuanling?" !"

Fang Xuanling did not belong to any faction in the court, he was only loyal to Taizong alone, but Li Chengqian was the crown prince of a country, so he naturally expected a little more from Li Chengqian. I don't like it, but for the sake of the stability of the Tang Dynasty, I also firmly disagree with the other people's idea of ​​Yi Chu. Now that Li Chengqian took the initiative to invite Ying, and made such a great contribution, Fang Xuanling was also happy.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince went deep into the tiger's lair and made such a great contribution to the country. It is of great benefit to the country and the people. The old minister just went out of the city to welcome His Highness back. Compared with His Highness, there is no hard work to speak of."

The two monarchs and ministers exchanged a few pleasantries, and the rest of the ministers came forward just now. No matter how reluctant the princes Li Ke and Li Tai were, they had to show their face at this time, and stepped forward to congratulate Li Chengqian.

In the Chengqing Hall, Emperor Taizong was discussing with his grandson Wuji. Although Li Chengqian did not disgrace his mission and said that the Turks were retreating, the battle of Suizhou still exposed the lack of military strength of the Tang Dynasty. The military strength is still weak. If you want to avenge the Northern Expedition and rely solely on the strength of the current army, it is simply a fantasy.

"Your Majesty! His Royal Highness is back!" Ma Xuanliang entered the palace to report, "Now he is waiting outside the palace!"

Hearing this, Emperor Taizong relaxed his frown and said happily, "The prince is back! Let him in quickly!"

The eldest grandson Wuji beside him also had a happy expression on his face. The success of Li Chengqian's mission this time was really beyond his expectation.

After a short time, Li Chengqian walked in, bowed his knees in front of Emperor Taizong and said, "I will see my father!"

Taizong laughed and said, "Damn! Hurry up and flatten yourself!"

Li Chengqian got up, and bowed his hands to Changsun Wuji who was beside him: "Meet uncle!"

Changsun Wuji hurriedly got up and received a half salute. For this earliest minister of the dragon, the eldest brother of Empress Changsun, Taizong has always been gracious and personally decreed that all princes who meet Changsun Wuji must bow and salute as a token of respect. Glory.

At this time, Taizong had an illness in his leg, and it was rainy, so it hurt from time to time, but seeing his son so promising, he was very comforted in his heart, and said with a smile: "Qian'er has fulfilled his mission this time as an envoy to Turkic. I am so relieved."

Li Chengqian hurriedly said: "It's all due to the majesty of the father, the emperor dare not take the credit, and the emperor dare not accept it, please take it back."

Taizong was very relieved when he heard the words, and said: "If you have meritorious service, you have meritorious service. Since you have meritorious service, you should be rewarded. Don't refuse the fief of a thousand households!"

Although Taizong was smiling, Li Chengqian could clearly see that Taizong's face was a little haggard due to illness, and he couldn't help turning red around his eyes, and said, "Father! Now everyone in the Tang Dynasty is saving money for the Northern Expedition. Even Father's meal is a meal." Reduced and reduced, the output of the Huangzhuang outside the city, the father also subsidized the military. As the crown prince, the son should lead by example and learn from the father in everything. I beg my father to protect the body of the dragon!"

Taizong was also moved when he heard the words. As a father, besides the achievements of his sons, the most important thing is the filial piety of his sons. , if there is no reward, how can you convince the public."

Li Chengqian said: "Since father and emperor must reward, then please promise me one thing, and it will be regarded as a reward!"

Taizong asked: "What can I ask you to do?"

Li Chengqian said: "Father! This Chengqing Palace has collapsed and has been in disrepair for a long time. It is really unlivable. My son begged Father to repair the Cuiwei Palace! Don't suffer yourself!"

When Taizong heard this, his eyes were also red. Li Chengqian's filial piety moved him greatly. He wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and said, "The filial piety is commendable, but now the Tang Dynasty spends too much money."

Just as he was speaking, Taizong suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his leg again. Beads of sweat were dripping from his forehead. He was gently massaging his knee with one hand, and there was a hissing sound of inhalation from between his teeth, with a very painful expression on his face.

When Li Chengqian saw him, he immediately showed anxiety. The eunuch Wang De, carrying a firebox that was burning with charcoal, bowed to the imperial couch and said, "Your Majesty, this old servant brought you the fire."

Taizong stretched out his legs to be roasted, Li Chengqian saw it, hurried forward, leaned over, picked up the fire box, and slowly roasted the affected area for Taizong.The day was already a bit stuffy, and with a firebox in his arms, Li Chengqian's sweat dripped down drop by drop. Taizong looked at his son with a gratified smile in his eyes, and he said lovingly, "Ganer, put it down, I feel much better." You have worked hard this time too, don't be tired, alas! My old cold legs are really delaying things."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian put down the fire box, his whole body was soaked, and said, "Father! Your servant is not tired!"

At this time, there was a rumbling thunder in the sky. Taizong glanced out of the window and wanted to stand up, but he frowned when his legs hurt, and fell back on the bed.

Li Chengqian fell to his knees when he saw this, and said with tears in his eyes: "Father, you are here to get rid of the root cause of the Tang Dynasty. Seeing your legs hurt like this, my heart hurts even more! You are also the leader of a great country!" Sir, can’t you take care of your own bones? This old palace has lived for several generations, the foundation is sinking, and the humidity is getting heavier. Ordinary people feel cold in their bones when they stay in it, let alone you, Father? I implore Father to issue an order to rebuild Cuiwei palace!"

Taizong sighed, caressed Li Chengqian's back, and said: "Oh, the Central Plains was initially settled, and a lot of things are waiting to be done. There are too many things to do! How can I get the money to build the palace!"

Changsun Wuji glanced at Li Chengqian, knelt down and said: "The emperor's Kangtai is tied to the well-being of thousands of subjects in the Tang Dynasty. This money cannot be saved! Even if there is not enough money in the treasury, we as subjects It’s a waste of money, you can’t let the emperor suffer this crime again!”

Just as Taizong was about to talk, Fang Xuanling walked in and said anxiously as he walked, "Your Majesty, something serious has happened. I just received an emergency report. The river surged, the Longshou Canal was washed away, and the water transportation was blocked."

Taizong's face changed. This is a big event. Once the water transportation is blocked, there is only Tongguan land connection between the north and the south. The transportation capacity is limited, and the supply of grain and grass for the frontier soldiers in Jingzhou and Bingzhou will be limited. After thinking for a while, he said: "You still have to Let me rebuild Cuiwei Palace, everywhere is asking for money, hundreds of thousands of frontier soldiers are waiting to eat, even if it is repaired, can I sleep in it? Sigh! This food and salary is a big deal, a transfer section It involves a wide range of subjects, and all six ministries are involved. It is difficult for anyone to intervene. Let the crown prince work harder, please! You are the prince of a country, and you should add some burdens at this time. Take the initiative to manage this task, while rushing to repair the water transportation, and at the same time adjust the Tongguan official road! The frontier soldiers must not lose a grain of food!"

Li Chengqian cupped his hands and said, "Your servant obeys the order."